• Shelby and Kelsey in the new Education Abroad program SMU-in-Cairo. They have climbed Mount Sinai and explored pyramids, in addition to studying at the American University in Cairo.

If you know students or faculty whom you consider Adventurers – whether they’re researching, traveling volunteering, leading or interning this summer – contact Sarah Hanan in SMU News and Communications, 214-768-7622.

Ten students in SMU’s Model United Nations program participated in the World Model U.N. 2009 Conference in March in The Hague, Netherlands. The SMU delegation was assigned to represent the Vatican at the conference, where students from more than 40 countries debated and discussed world issues facing the U.N. system. Read more about it at the SMU team’s Model U.N. group blog.

Election reflection: SMU Political Science Professors Cal Jillson, Dennis Simon and Harold Stanley will survey the political landscape and analyze the 2008 primary and general election campaigns in “Road to the White House 2008,” presented by SMU’s Godbey Lecture Series. The series begins Oct. 20 and repeats on consecutive Mondays through Nov. 10. Lecture at 11 a.m., lunch at noon each day at Maggiano’s North Park Center. Cost is $163 for members, $193 for nonmembers. Register online or call 8-2532.

Darwin Year preview: Earth Sciences Professor Louis Jacobs will discuss his fossil research in places ranging from St. Bart’s to Seymour Island, Antarctica, in the Godbey Lecture Series‘ “Islands and Life” – a preview of SMU’s 2009 event “Darwin’s Evolving Legacy.” The program takes place Oct. 22 in the Texana Room, DeGolyer Library. A 5:30 p.m. wine reception precedes the 6 p.m. lecture. Tickets are $45 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Register online or call 8-2532. (Top right, Seymour Island as photographed by graduate student researcher and blogger Chris Strganac.)

Make a racket: The Stanford Championships tennis tournament comes to SMU Oct. 22-Oct. 26 in the Turpin Tennis Center. Eight legendary names in men’s tennis, including Boris Becker, Jim Courier and Mark Philippoussis, compete for the title and $150,000 in prize money. In addition, Anna Kournikova will compete in Mixed Doubles matches. Tickets are available at www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com or call 877-332-TIXX (8499).

Coming of age: The Hughes-Trigg Student Center celebrates its 21st birthday with a “responsible celebration” Oct. 23. Stop by the Student Center for cake, fun and games.

Ben Manthey, a junior from Dallas majoring in history with minors in Chinese and business, has spent Spring 2008 in Beijing at the Capital University of Economics and Business. He shares his perspective on life and learning in the People’s Republic – including the deadly Sichuan earthquake that has devastated the nation – at his Student Adventures blog. (Right, Ben’s photo of night life in Central Beijing’s Houhai district.)

The SMU Athletic Department, in conjunction with the SMU Lettermen’s Association, inducted the 2008 inaugural class of the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame during ceremonies May 2. Forrest Gregg, Lamar Hunt, Martina Moravcova and Payne Stewart were honored, with Don Meredith serving as honorary chair. See Athletics Hall of Fame video online.